Behind every attack and every defence there is a network, an operating system and a few protocols. This course gives you that base in a hands-on way: you will read network traffic, build an isolated laboratory, work comfortably in a Linux terminal, understand how Windows and Active Directory are organised, and learn what cryptography really protects.
Across seven chapters you move from the TCP/IP model, DNS, HTTP and routing to packet capture with Wireshark, ARP, VLANs and IPv6. You then set up virtual machines with Kali Linux on an isolated network, learn the Linux command line, permissions, services and bash scripting, discover Windows, Active Directory, PowerShell and event logs, and study hashing, encryption, certificates and secret management. The last chapter prepares you for penetration testing: the legal framework, the methodology, passive reconnaissance and a technical review that opens the door to web pentesting.
A running project ties everything together: your lab notebook and a small isolated network called labnet, which you build and document lesson after lesson. Every lesson contains explanations, realistic examples with private or documentation addresses only, pitfalls to avoid and a hands-on exercise with a solution. No exploit and no real target is ever used: everything stays in your own lab and within the law.
What you will learn
- Explain how data travels across a network, from DNS and IP addressing to HTTP and routing.
- Capture and read traffic, and understand why protocols like ARP are sensitive.
- Build a safe, isolated lab with virtual machines and snapshots.
- Work confidently with the Linux terminal, permissions, services and logs.
- Understand Windows, Active Directory and the events worth monitoring.
- Use hashing, encryption and certificates correctly, and manage secrets.
- Know the legal rules and the methodology of an authorised penetration test.
Who this course is for
Beginners who have followed the introductory cybersecurity course and want to build solid technical foundations before specialising in pentesting, defence or security administration.
What you will learn
- Describe the TCP/IP model and calculate subnets, then explain how DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, ports and routing work together.
- Capture and analyse network traffic with Wireshark, and explain the risks tied to ARP, VLANs and IPv6.
- Build an isolated virtual laboratory with Kali Linux, snapshots and sensible rules of ethics and safety.
- Use the Linux command line, manage users, permissions and sudo, and inspect processes, services and logs.
- Write simple bash scripts to automate repetitive checks.
- Explain the architecture of Windows and Active Directory, use basic PowerShell and locate key security events.
- Choose and apply hashing, symmetric and asymmetric encryption, certificates and secret management appropriately.
- Describe the legal framework and the methodology of a penetration test, and carry out passive reconnaissance responsibly.
Prerequisites
The course "Cybersecurity Basics", or equivalent knowledge of the main threats and good practices. You should be comfortable using a computer, installing software and have a machine able to run virtual machines (about 8 GB of memory and 60 GB of free disk space are recommended).